UA's Downtown Express to offer two routes from campus on weekend nights

View full sizeCrimson Ride buses will begin running from campus to downtown during evening hours on Thursday, Friday and Saturday on a trial basis beginning Thursday. (Ben Flanagan / al.com)

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- The University of Alabama will begin running two bus routes this week from the UA campus to downtown for students during the evening hours on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

The Downtown Express, set to operate on Thursdays and Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. and on Fridays from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m., will begin running Crimson Ride buses during those hours on a trial basis on Thursday, according to Ralph Clayton, assistant director of transportation services at UA.

The service, formed as a initiative with the UA SGA, could become a permanent fixture during the fall and spring semesters depending on the response from students and the university community, Clayton said.

The north route will have stops at the university bus hub, Publix, Black Warrior Outdoor, the corner of 4th Street and Greensboro Avenue and Lakeside Residential.

The south route will have stops at the university bus hub, Bryce Lawn Apartments, Burke Hall, the south end of Bryant-Denny Stadium, Moe's Original BBQ and the Walk of Champions at the north end of Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Clayton said the service provides students with a safe means of transportation from campus to downtown, where there are more choices of eateries and entertainment.